Fruit Chemical Properties Research Articles

Non-destructive Estimation of Chlorophyll a Content in Red Delicious Apple Cultivar Based on Spectral and Color Data

Non-destructive estimation of the chemical properties of fruit is an important goal of researchers in the food industry, since online operations, such as fruit packaging based on the amount of different chemical properties and determining different stages of handling, are done based on these estimations. In this study, chlorophyll a content in Red Delicious apple cultivar is predicted as a chemical property that is altered by apple ripening stage, using non-destructive spectral and color methods combined. Two artificial intelligence methods based on hybrid Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network - Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm (ANN-ABC) and Partial least squares regression (PLSR) were used in order to obtain a non-destructive estimation of chlorophyll a content. In application of the PLSR method, various pre-processing algorithms were used. In order to statistically properly validate the hybrid ANN-ABC predictive method, 20 runs were performed. Results showed that the best regression coefficient of the PLSR method in predicting chlorophyll a content using spectral data alone was 0.918. At the same time, the average determination coefficient over 20 repetitions in hybrid ANN-ABC in the estimation of chlorophyll a content, using spectral data and color features were higher than 0.92±0.040 and 0.89±0.045, respectively, which to our knowledge is a remarkable non-intrusive estimation result.

Influence of foliar application with putrescine, salicylic, and ascorbic acid on the productivity and physical and chemical fruit properties of Picual olive trees

Background and objectiveOlive tree is very popular in the Mediterranean area because of its fruits and oil yields. Both of them are worldwide known by their beneficial health properties. Salicylic acid is naturally occurring as phenolic compound and endogenously synthesized as signaling molecule in plants and influences various physiological and biochemical functions in plants. Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant molecule and a key substrate for the detoxification of ROS. Putrescine participates in several processes of plant growth and development. Putrescine participates in several processes of plant growth and development. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the best concentrations of these substances to improve olive fruits yield and its chemical and physical properties.Materials and methodsThe field experiment was conducted during two seasons of 2017 and 2018 on adult olive trees of Picual cv. (8 years old) in a private orchard located in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of foliar application with different concentrations of putrescine, salicylic, and ascorbic, in two dates of November and December. The effect of different concentrations and dates of spray under the conditions of the saline irrigation water (4.40 ds m−1) were evaluated on the fruit yield, fruit physical characteristics and fruit chemical properties of olive trees of Picual cv.ResultsIn this study, all treatments were able to improve all studied characters compared with the control treatment in both spraying dates of November and December in both seasons, respectively. Moreover, the best yield of olive fruits in this study was recorded with the application of putrescine at 15 ppm + salicylic at 200 ppm + ascorbic at 2000 ppm in the first and second seasons, respectively.ConclusionSpraying Picual olive trees with putrescine, salicylic, and ascorbic acid in this study under the conditions of the saline irrigation water (4.40 ds m−1) was able to improve fruit yield and fruit physical and chemical properties of olive trees of Picual cv. compared with the control treatment in both spraying dates

Caracterização química de morangos orgânicos congelados e embalados em alumínio

O fruto do morangueiro é muito sensível e facilmente danificado quando manuseado in natura, gerando assim grandes perdas na pós-colheita, tanto comerciais como nutricionais. Assim, torna-se necessário o aprimoramento de tecnologias para otimizar o armazenamento, visando minimizar perdas nutricionais e sensoriais e que mantenham a integridade organoléptica do produto. Com o presente trabalho objetivou-se avaliar as características químicas de frutos inteiros e processados de morangueiro, cultivados em sistema orgânico, acondicionados em diferentes embalagens sob congelamento por 105 dias. Foram avaliados quatro tratamentos (polpa com embalagem plástica transparente; polpa com embalagem plástica envolta em alumínio; fruto inteiro com embalagem plástica transparente; fruto inteiro com embalagem plástica envolta em alumínio). Os frutos foram analisados em relação aos teores de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, compostos fenólicos, relação SS/AT e ácido ascórbico. A acidez titulável apresentou redução a partir dos 21 dias de armazenamento para frutos inteiros e a partir dos 42 dias, quando envolto em alumínio. O teor de sólidos solúveis também diminuiu em decorrência do armazenamento, sendo mais pronunciado nos frutos inteiros, envolto com alumínio. O ácido ascórbico e a relação SS/AT apresentaram decréscimo para todos os tratamentos a partir do congelamento, porém se mantendo estável por todo o período de armazenamento. Os compostos fenólicos aumentaram ao longo do período de congelamento, tanto na polpa quanto no fruto, com uso ou não de alumínio como envoltório na embalagem. De forma geral, o congelamento se mostrou apropriado para manutenção das propriedades químicas dos frutos de morangueiro. A polpa como forma de armazenamento, manteve as propriedades químicas do fruto. Para a maioria das características analisadas, a folha de alumínio não contribuiu de forma significativa para manutenção ou melhoria das propriedades químicas da polpa/frutos, quando congelados.

Variations in aroma and specific flavor in strawberry under different colored light‐quality selective plastic film

AbstractStrawberry aroma is beneficial to the quality of the fruits and derived foods, as well as consumer health. Light quality affects strawberry aroma emission, which can be conveniently supplied by colored light‐quality selective plastic films. To produce high‐aroma strawberry by using optical colored light‐quality selective plastic film, the aroma emission and key gene expression were investigated under transparent (T), red (R), yellow (Y), green (G), blue (B), and purple (P) films. Moreover, the content of sugar, soluble proteins, and anthocyanins as well as total titratable acidity was also investigated. Strawberry released an abundance of aroma, mainly including esters, terpenoids, alkanes, alcohols, acids, aldehydes, and ketones. T, R, and Y films increased FaAAT (alcohol acyltransferase) expression to promote ester emission. Among strawberry aroma components, trans‐nerolidol showed the maximum emission amount. R film promoted its emission by increasing FaNES1 (nerolidol synthase) expression. Meanwhile, R film was also beneficial to the accumulation of reducing sugar, sucrose, total sugar, anthocyanins, and soluble proteins, and total titratable acidity. Therefore, high‐aroma strawberry can be produced by using R light selective plastic film, with increasing fruit chemical properties.

Effect of Spraying with some Antioxidants on Growth, Yield, Fruit Quality and Nutritional Status of Navel Orange Trees

This study was carried out through two consecutive seasons 2016 and 2017 to investigate the effect of spraying with some antioxidants on vegetative growth, yield, fruit quality and nutritional status of twelve years old Navel orange trees on sour orange rootstock grown in a private orange orchard in Qalubia Governorate, Egypt cultivated in a silty clay loam soil. This experiment involved three antioxidant materials named (salicylic acid, citric acid and folic acid) and each one spraying by three levels of each of with (250, 500 and 1000 ppm) from each salicylic, citric and folic acid plus control treatment so the experiment included ten treatments. Selected trees were spraying three times (at the beginning of the growth cycle in March, just after fruit setting in May and just after June drop in July) by aqueous solution of salicylic acid, citric acid and folic acid until the point of runoff. The highest values of vegetative growth were obtained by spraying 500 ppm salicylic acid, 1000 ppm citric acid and 500 ppm folic acid. Regarding to yield, results pointed out that the foliar spraying with 500 ppm salicylic acid, 500 ppm citric acid and 250 ppm folic acid gave the highest values of yield. Treatments 500 ppm salicylic acid, 250 ppm citric acid and 250 ppm folic acid gave the highest values of physical and chemical fruit properties. In respect to nutrients content, the highest values of macronutrients were obtained by spraying 250 ppm folic acid, while that spraying 1000 ppm salicylic acid and 250 ppm folic acid gave the highest values of micronutrients. Therefore, using treatments 500 ppm salicylic acid, 500 ppm citric acid and 250 ppm folic acid may be recommended from economical point of view and as good treatments for enhancing Navel orange growth, yield, fruit quality and nutritional status especially under old citrus orchards.

Application of Arabic Gum and Essential Oils as the Postharvest Treatments of Le Conte Pear Fruits during Cold Storage

The present study was conducted during 2015 and 2016 seasons on Le Conte pear fruits harvested at mature stage, to investigate the application of (10% w/v) Arabic Gum (AG), Jojoba oil (JO) and Moringa oil (MO) at the rate (100 %) alone on physical and chemical properties. Fruits stored at 0 ± 1°C and 85-90 % relative humidity (RH) for 105 days. A fruit sample of each treatment was taken out at the end of cold storage period and left at room temperature (23 ± 2°C) and 47% (RH) up to 7 days was examined for quality Assessments. Fruit physical properties (weight loss, decay percentages and fruit firmness "Lb/inch2") and fruit chemical properties (total soluble solids percentage and total acidity percentage were evaluated. The results obtained that, all treatments including control succeeded in preventing fruit decay percentage up to 30 days in the two seasons. It is worth mentioning that, Le Conte pear fruits were coated with MO with stands free from deterioration up to 75 days of cold storage period. Beside, fruits coated MO progress in reducing the percentages of weight loss and decay throw cold storage periods for 105 day. The rate of softening increased in fruits with increasing the storage time in both fruits coated and uncoated, but it was significantly declined in uncoated treatments. Moreover, JO coating was more effective in firmness retention compared to the other treatments. Followed by pear fruits was coating with MO and AG in this respect. Furthermore, all coated fruits enhancement fruit quality during storage periods. Finally, it can be concluded that coating Le Conte fruits by Moringa oil recorded successfully reduction in fruit weight loss, decay percentages, improving fruit quality and extended storage fruit life as well as stimulate marketing period (shelf life), also safe on environmental and human health.

EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION WITH ALGAE AND MORINGA LEAVES EXTRACTS ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH, LEAF MINERAL CONTENTS, YIELD AND CHEMICAL FRUIT QUALITY OF PICUAL OLIVE TREES

This study was carried out during 2017 and 2018 seasons on adult Picual olive cv. (8 years old) in a private orchard located at Cairo Ismailia Desert Road, (about 80 Km from Cairo), Ismailia Governorate, Egypt. Trees are grown in sandy soil, under drip irrigation system, uniform in shape and received the common horticultural practices, therefore, this work aims to study the effect of spraying different concentrations and dates spray of algae and moringa leaf extract (MLE) for tow times on the vegetative growth, leaf mineral contents, yield and fruit chemical properties of Picual olive trees. Results indicated that all different spraying treatments of algae and moringa extract at different spraying dates had a positive effect on vegetative growth, leaf mineral contents, fruit set, yield and fruit chemical properties in comparison with the control. Treatments of algae extract at 0.4% + moringa leaves extract at 2% and algae extract at 0.4% + moringa leaves extract at 4% were the most effective treatments to increase vegetative growth, improve leaf mineral content, fruit set, yield and oil content. Thus, these treatments can be recommended for commercial use under similar conditions

Storability and maintaining quality of banana with pretreatments by preservatives and packaging materials

Banana is the most perishable fruit crop at postharvest conditions. Thus, this experiment intended to study the effect of preservatives and packaging materials as a distinct effect and combination effect for 30 days of storage in 20°C temperature. The study consists of four post-harvest treatments (control, CaCl2, NaCl2, and tap water.) and five packaging materials (control, wooden box, plastic crate, polyethylene plastic bag, and dried banana leaf.). The effect of preservation and packaging materials observed the specific physical and chemical properties of fruit in storage conditions. Among packing materials used, wooden boxes and plastic crate showed reduced weight loss, enhanced marketability, induced TSS content and reduced decay rate. Also, CaCl2 pretreatment was maintained an enhanced physicochemical characteristics of stored banana. In complementary with distinct effect, wooden box and CaCl2 combination shown positive contributions on storage quality maintenance in most parameters. Therefore, the study demonstrated plastic crate packaging, wooden box and calcium chloride treatments of fruit resulted in longer storability and maintained the qualities of fruit.

Storability and maintaining quality of banana with pretreatments by preservatives and packaging materials

Banana is the most perishable fruit crop at postharvest conditions. Thus, this experiment intended to study the effect of preservatives and packaging materials as a distinct effect and combination effect for 30 days of storage in 20°C temperature. The study consists of four post-harvest treatments (control, CaCl2, NaCl2, and tap water.) and five packaging materials (control, wooden box, plastic crate, polyethylene plastic bag, and dried banana leaf.). The effect of preservation and packaging materials observed the specific physical and chemical properties of fruit in storage conditions. Among packing materials used, wooden boxes and plastic crate showed reduced weight loss, enhanced marketability, induced TSS content and reduced decay rate. Also, CaCl2 pretreatment was maintained an enhanced physicochemical characteristics of stored banana. In complementary with distinct effect, wooden box and CaCl2 combination shown positive contributions on storage quality maintenance in most parameters. Therefore, the study demonstrated plastic crate packaging, wooden box and calcium chloride treatments of fruit resulted in longer storability and maintained the qualities of fruit.

Selection of plum cultivars for subtropical regions

ABSTRACT: Plum growing is widespread in temperate zones. In Brazil, the exploitation of this fruit tree is extended from the colder regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul to the south of the state of Minas Gerais. However, cultivars exploited at subtropical regions are scarce due to competition. The present study aimed to select productive cultivars of plums adapted to Brazilian subtropical conditions. In this respect, the plum cultivars ‘Fla 87-7’, ‘Gema de Ouro’, ‘Grancoure’, ‘Harry Pickstone’, ‘Januária’, ‘Santa Rosa’ and ‘Satsuma’ were grafted on the ‘Okinawa’ rootstock ‘and evaluated by two cycles in the municipality of Lavras, MG, Brazil. The phenological development, physical and chemical properties of fruits, average number of fruits per plant, average fruit mass and estimated yield were evaluated for each cultivar. It is concluded that plum cultivars ‘Januária’ and ‘Grancoure’ are the most promising for subtropical regions, mainly due to the volume of produced fruits and the quality of fruits.

EFFECT OF SOME POSTHARVEST TREATMENTS ON IMPROVING QUALITY AND STORABILITY OF PERSIMMON FRUITS DURING COLD STORAGE

persimmon is an important seasonal fruit which often exhibits rapid softening during postharvest distribution, handling or sometimes on the trees. Storage treatments and packaging types are critical points on degradative pathways of bioactive components reflected to fresh fruits quality properties. The present investigation was conducted during two successive seasons (2015 and 2016) on persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) fruits c.v. “Costata”. Fruits were harvested at maturity orange color and were divided into two groups, the first group was dipped in hot water at 50oC for 10, 20 and 30 min., while the The second one was dipped in edible coating film consists of (10g maltodextrin, 5g methyl cellulose, 8ml glycerol, 2.5g ascorbic acid, 1g potassium sorbate and 1g calcium chloride/ distilled water liter) for 10, 20 and 30 min., in addition to the untreated fruits (as control). Fruits of all treatments were stored at 4±1◦C and 90% relative humidity (RH) in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) punnets for 8 weeks. The changes in physical and chemical properties of fruits were evaluated as fruits color, weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity percentage also antioxidant components (total phenols, total tannins, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and carotenoids) were studied during storage period every two weeks. The obtained results illustrated that all fruits had storage life eight weeks at cold storage 4±1◦C and 90% relative humidity (RH), fruits treated with edible coated film for 30 mins. have gained best quality in comparison with other treatments its. Since, it’s observed delayed in increasing total soluble solids percentage, reduced titratable acidity percentage and fruits firmness. On the other hand, the decrement of antioxidant contents including ascorbic acid, total phenols, flavonoids, were higher in persimmon fruits treated with hot water and control.Therefore, some postharvest treatments such as hot water or edible coating film to improve fruits sensorial quality through reducing the astringency and bitterness components in persimmon

IMPROVING FRUIT CRACKING RESISTANCE OF WONDERFUL POMEGRANATES

two successive seasons of 2015 and 2016 on Wonderful“ Pomegranates trees grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system in a private orchard located at Giza governorate, Egypt . Trees were sprayed two times (at fruits size 8-10 mm & Re- spraying at one month later) with Potassium silicate at (2500 & 5000 ppm) , Boron at(5 &10%) , Kaolin (1 &2% ) , Zinc oxidase (1000 & 2000 ppm) with wrapping as a commercial treatments . Spraying started at July in the two seasons to improve fruit cracking resistance “Wonderful“ pomegranates and study their effects upon yield components, physical and chemical fruit properties. Results indicated that the “Wonderful“ pomegranates cultivar had the highest values of fruit weight and the minimum cracking values were obtained by spraying Boron at (5 %) and potassium silicate at (5000 ppm) in both seasons and this treatments gave the maximum values with total yield/tree, /feddan and Marketable yield/tree, /feddan .Meanwhile ,number of arils per fruit ,total soluble solids , total sugar ,total acidity , (arils)/fruit weight was not affected but when trees treated with wrapping, without wrapping and zinc oxidase at (1000 ppm) sprays gave the minimum mentioned above characteristics. However, fruit weight, arils weight, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and tannins %were increased as influenced by foliar spraying with all treatments in both studied seasons. Therefore, boron at 5 % and Potassium silicate at 5000 ppm treatments could be recommended for improving Wonderfull pomegranate cvs performance in cracking resistance alternative treatments to fruit wrapping under similar conditions of this study.

EFFECT OF SOME STIMULANTS ON FRUIT SET, YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF HOLLYWOOD AND PIONEER PLUM CULTIVARS

The deterioration in area of plum orchards, in addition to the lack of productivity, resulted in an insufficient yield of plum. Some stimulants were investigated in this study during 2016 and 2017 seasons to improve fruit set; yield and fruit quality of Hollywood and Pioneer plum cultivars. Trees were treated with sprayed by with 1.0 and 1.5 ml/l of Daiblon k10 (contains 10% w∕w free amino acids and 10% w∕w potassium) or 4.0 and 6.0 ml/l of Essential Egy (contains mineral nutrients; natural Organic substance and 4.5 % L-amino acids). Other trees were treated with Humic acid as Actosol® (6.0 % w ∕ v potash and 20 % w ∕v Humate) at 5.0 ml/l /tree as spray foliar treatment or 30 ml/l /tree as soil application beside (control). The treatments were done at three times (at 30 % of flowering; 70% flowering and at full bloom) in each season. All trees were grown in sandy soil at El- Nubaria region, Behera Governorate, Egypt. A complete randomized block design was used with three replicates and each one was represented by one tree. During this investigation fruit set (%); yield (kg/tree); some physical and chemical fruit properties, as well as some mineral contents of leaves, were determined. Results cleared that the highest of both fruit number and yield (Kg∕ tree) were obtained when trees of Hollywood were sprayed with Essential Egy at 4.0 ml/l while the highest values of fruit set% and SSC were gained when trees were sprayed with 6.0 ml/l of Essential Egy. Spraying trees with Humic acid caused the highest leaf N and K content. All treatments under study gave variable effects on of total chlorophyll content. With regard to Pioneer cultivar, results showed that Essential Egy at 6.0 ml/l significantly increased fruit set %; fruit number per tree, yield (kg/tree and P content compared with Essential Egy at 0.4 ml/l which significantly increased SSC. Humic acid soil application significantly increased leaf N and P content. Spraying trees with Humic acid recorded the highest significant N and K content. Daiblon K10 at 1.0 ml/l gave the maximum total chlorophyll content. Thus, it can be recommended that spraying Hollywood and Pioneer cultivars with Essential Egy at 4.0 ml/l or 6.0 ml/l at three times (30 % of flowering; 70 % of flowering and at the full bloom) will increase plum yield and improve fruit quality

Evaluation of plum fruit maturity by image processing techniques.

Maturity is the key factor which determines the storage life and ripening quality of fruits. In order to provide marketing flexibility and to guarantee the acceptable eating quality to the buyer it is very critical to determine the right maturity stage. Maturity indices are also important for trade regulation, marketing strategy and for the efficient use of labor and resources. The proposed system is based on implementation of image processing techniques on the JPEG images of different maturity stages of the plum variety 'Satluj Purple' grown under sub-tropical conditions. The external quality features like color, texture and size were analyzed. Color feature was extracted by using mean RGB values. Entropy, Local Binary Pattern and Discrete Cosine transformation were used for extracting textural features. Correlation coefficients between images of various categories were recorded to determine the most dominant factor for classification. Multi-Attribute Decision Making theory was used for taking final decision. The developed system accurately determined the maturity level. Color was found to be the most dominant factor for classifying the plums according to maturity level. The error percentage was less than 2.4%, when the length and width computed from application were compared with the manual readings. When RGB indices of fruit images were correlated with chemical properties of fruits, strong association was found between fruit acidity and mean intensity of green color (R2 = 0.9966). Significant variability in total soluble solids was also explained by variation in R/G ratio (R2 = 0.8464).

<b>The physicochemical properties of fruits and seed germination of <i>Campomanesia aurea</i> O. Berg

Campomanesia aurea is a potentially ornamental native fruit shrub. There are no studies on the seed germination capacity and fruit properties of the species. Therefore, the main goal of this paper was to describe the seed germination and the physical and chemical properties of fruits from two C. aurea accession areas. The study was conducted with fruits collected from two native vegetation areas located in the Morro do Osso Natural Park and in the municipality of Barao do Triunfo, Brazil. Physical and chemical analyzes, seed counting and germination tests were performed. Results were submitted to ANOVA and the means were compared by t test at 5% error probability. C. aurea has oblong-shaped fruits weighting around 1.26 g with a high content of vitamin C. Each fruit usually has four intact seeds of which 3% are polyembryonic. Seed germination averaged 93% in 20 days. It is concluded that the C. aurea fruits collected from two different accession areas differ in the concentration of TSS, TSS/TA ratio and vitamin C content, but not physically. Seeds have shown a high germination rate.

Effect of Girdling and Potassium Fertilization on Yield Efficiency and Fruit Quality of Apricot cv. Amal

The present investigation has been carried out at El-Kanater Horticultural Research Station during both 2015 and 2016 seasons to study the effect of four levels of potassium soil applied either alone or combined with girdling treatment on some fruiting parameters and both fruit physical and chemical properties as well as leaf nutrient status of Amal apricot trees budded on Okinawa rootstock.Obtained data showed that, the investigated fruiting parameters (fruit set % and yield either kgs/tree or ton/feddan) were significantly increased with increasing the levels of K and girdled trees when compared to the control treatment. Moreover, fruit properties including both fruit physical characteristics i.e., fruit weight, volume, firmness, height, diameter and fruit shape index as well as fruit chemical properties (TSS %, acidity % and TSS/acid ratio) were significantly improved as a result of the highest soil application level of K and girdled trees as compared with the control trees. In addition to that, leaf nutrient content of some macro-elements (N, P and K) were improved by the different investigated combination treatments under study from the standpoint of statistic during both 2015 and 2016 seasons. Generally, it could be conclude that, most of investigated combination treatments of (K x G) resulted in a positive and a significant effect on all fruiting parameters, leaf nutrient contents and most fruit quality of Amal apricot fruit trees. Furthermore, the treatment of K at 1500 gm/tree x girdling gave the best and the most effective combination treatment for increasing fruiting parameters and improving both the most physical and chemical properties and leaf nutrient contents of Amal apricot trees cultivated under condition of Qalyubeia Governorate.

EFFECT OF ROOTSTOCK AND INTERSTOCK ON GROWTH, YIELD AND FRUIY QUALITY OF SOME ORANGE VARIETIES B. FRUIT QUALITY

This experiment was designed as long term study, started in 2008 till 2014 with the idea of using sour orange as interstock on volkamer lemon rootstock (SO/VL) for budding four orange varieties, namely, Olinda valencia ,Spring navel, Parent navel, and Fukumoto navel oranges. The purpose was to avoid some disadvantages of volkamer lemon on physical and chemical fruit quality with the hope of maintaining tree growth and its productivity with good properties acceptable for local and foreign market. The obtained results showed that, Fruit of Olinda valencia, Spring navel, Parent navel and Fukumoto navel oranges budded on the interstock were similar to those produced on sour orange in their physical fruit characters in terms of length, diameter, shape, volume, juice volume, rind thickness and segments number. Moreover, chemical fruit properties of orange scions on the interstock were also similar to those on sour orange rootstock in its higher TSS, lower acidity and higher TSS/acid ratio than those on volkamer lemon rootstock. Therefore, it is recommended to use sour orange as interstock when volkamer lemon is the given rootstock in orchard soil . Using sour orange as interstock on volkamer lemon proved to be useful in improving most fruit quality properties of the four orange varieties budded on it in this study.

Gram (-) microorganisms DNA polymerase inhibition, antibacterial and chemical properties of fruit and leaf extracts of Sorbus acuparia and Sorbus caucasica var. yaltirikii.

Investigation of novel plant-based agents might provide alternative antibiotics and thus fight antibiotic resistance. Here, we measured the ability of fruit and leaf extracts of Sorbus aucuparia (Sauc) and endemic Sorbus caucasica var. yaltirikii (Scau) to inhibit nonreplicative (Klenow Fragment-KF and Bacillus Large Fragment-BLF) and replicative (DnaE and PolC) bacterial DNA polymerases along with their antimicrobial, DPPH free radical scavenging activity (RSA), and chemical contents by total phenolic content and HPLC-DAD analysis. We found that leaf extracts had nearly 10-fold higher RSA and 5-fold greater TPC than the corresponding fruit extracts. All extracts had large amounts of chlorogenic acid (CGA) and rutin, while fruit extracts had large amounts of quercetin. Hydrolysis of fruit extracts revealed mainly caffeic acid from CGA (caffeoylquinic acid) and quercetin from rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside), as well as CGA and derivatives of CGA and p-coumaric acid. Plant extracts of Sorbus species showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative microorganisms. Scau leaf extracts exhibited strong inhibition of KF activity. Sauc and Scau leaf extracts also strongly inhibited two replicative DNA polymerases. Thus, these species can be considered a potential source of novel antimicrobial agents specific for Gram-negative bacteria.

CHEMICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF VELVET TAMARIND FRUIT (DIALIUM GUINEENSE)

Information on chemical properties of fruits is crucial in processing it into different foods. Mechanical properties of fruits determine their susceptibility to mechanical damages that occur during harvest, transportation, and storage; and which eventually lead to a pronounced reduction in commercial value. This study was conducted to investigate the chemical and mechanical properties of unshelled (black), shelled (yellow) and kernel of Dialium guineense fruit. The chemical properties investigated include some proximate and mineral elements. The m echanical properties were bio-yield force, rupture force, deformation at rupture point, deformation ratio at rupture point, compressive strength and total strain energy. The fruit pulp was found to be composed of protein (9.4%), carbohydrate (75%), crude fat (5.2%), crude fibre (4.6%), and ash content (2.4%) at 19% moisture content (wb). The mineral composition of the pulp were sodium (3.2 g/kg), magnesium (2.9 g/kg), phosphorus (0.5 g/kg), calcium (0.5 g/kg), iron (0.1 g/kg), and vitamin C (0.3 g/kg) at a pH of 3.9. L ess force is required to crack the fruit across the length, followed by across the thickness and then across the width. Velvet tamarind ( Dialium guineense ) fruit pulp is a promising source of food and essential minerals due to its nutritional values , hence facilitating its postharvest processing is inevitable . http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i1.30

CHEMICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF VELVET TAMARIND FRUIT (DIALIUM GUINEENSE)

Information on chemical properties of fruits is crucial in processing it into different foods. Mechanical properties of fruits determine their susceptibility to mechanical damages that occur during harvest, transportation, and storage; and which eventually lead to a pronounced reduction in commercial value. This study was conducted to investigate the chemical and mechanical properties of unshelled (black), shelled (yellow) and kernel of Dialium guineense fruit. The chemical properties investigated include some proximate and mineral elements. The mechanical properties were bio-yield force, rupture force, deformation at rupture point, deformation ratio at rupture point, compressive strength and total strain energy. The fruit pulp was found to be composed of protein (9.4%), carbohydrate (75%), crude fat (5.2%), crude fibre (4.6%), and ash content (2.4%) at 19% moisture content (wb). The mineral composition of the pulp were sodium (3.2 g/kg), magnesium (2.9 g/kg), phosphorus (0.5 g/kg), calcium (0.5 g/kg), iron (0.1 g/kg), and vitamin C (0.3 g/kg) at a pH of 3.9. Less force is required to crack the fruit across the length, followed by across the thickness and then across the width. Velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense) fruit pulp is a promising source of food and essential minerals due to its nutritional values, hence facilitating its postharvest processing is inevitable. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i1.30